Japan Earn Gold At Premier League Berlin

Some of the top karatekas from around the world would make their way to Berlin this weekend, for the sixth edition of the Karate-1 Premier League.

Turkey’s Serap Ozcelik would be one of the performers who stole the show, as she would defeat Ayako and Tadano for her third gold medal this year. Ozcelik walked into the second ranked in the WKF and show top form in Berlin.

“I am very happy with this gold medal. It was a very difficult tournament but I just wanted to win, so I am very glad that I could do it,” said Ozcelik.

While Japan wouldn’t win at -55kg Female Kumite, grand winners Ryuatro Araga and Ayumi Uekusa would top the medal podium in Berlin.

“It was a very high-level competition. You can tell that the best in the world are here. It was a difficult tournament and I am happy to win again,” said Ryutaro Araga of his 3-0 win over Daniyar Yuldashev of Kazakhstan.

“The season did not start very well for me. But now we go to Tokyo where I hope to get a lot of support since we will be competing at home,” added the Grand Winner.

Ayumi Uekusa would take her fourth gold medal of 2018, as she would stop Clio Ferracuti in the finals of the +68kg Female Kumite.

“For me, it would be very important to finish the season with a gold medal in Tokyo. I want to win gold and I want to be Grand Winner again,” said Ayumi Uekusa. “It would be great to be Grand Winner for the second year to increase my chances to qualify for Tokyo 2020. It is a great honour to be Grand Winner and I hope I can retain the title,” stated the current World and continental title-holder.

The Karate 1-Premier League now heads to Tokyo (Japan) for the closing event of the season from October 12 to 14 will represent the last competition of the year in Karate 1-Premier League and the event where the new Grand Winners will be proclaimed.